Kerala High Court will initiate suo moto criminal contempt against CPIM leader R. Rajesh for a Facebook post aimed at pressurising the court. Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh said, “Only over my dead body, he can put pressure.”
Kochi: Today, on July 7, Kerala High Court Judge, Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh, on Monday made strong remarks in open court against CPIM leader and former MLA R. Rajesh for posting a Facebook message that allegedly tried to influence the judiciary.
The Court announced that it will take suo moto (on its own) criminal contempt action against the politician for the post, which was made while a judgment in a case involving him was pending.
R. Rajesh, who is also a member of the Syndicate of Kerala University, had filed a Writ Petition challenging the suspension of the University’s Registrar.
The petition was being heard by Justice Singh, who had already reserved judgment in the case.
During the hearing of the matter, it came to light that Rajesh had posted a controversial message on Facebook, which the Judge felt was a direct attempt to pressurize the Court.
The Bench, visibly upset, noted that the post had tarnished the reputation of the Judge and the judicial institution as a whole. Justice Singh did not hold back his words and addressed the issue strongly in the courtroom.
He said:
“It is not reputation which is built over a day. He wants to put pressure because his judgment is reserved! Have you seen that Facebook post? Please go and see. It is widely circulated everywhere. I am not deterred by anyone. I am not one of those who can be put under pressure. I have not become a Judge to be cowed down and to be pressurised. Tell him that, only over my dead body, he can put pressure.”
These remarks were made during the hearing of the Registrar’s Writ Petition, which was eventually withdrawn by the Registrar himself, stating that the suspension had now been reviewed by the University Syndicate.
Justice Singh then sharply criticised Rajesh’s conduct, pointing out that as a litigant in the same court, Rajesh had no business making public comments aimed at the presiding Judge. He said:
“A person who is a litigant before me, he has written a Facebook post. He considers himself above the law.”
Further adding:
“Your client is a litigant before the Court and his Writ Petition has been reserved for Judgment. He has the guts to write a Facebook post against me. He can’t get away with this. I am framing suo moto charges for criminal contempt.”
Justice Singh emphasized how such conduct lowers the dignity of the judiciary, saying:
“The social media post besmirches the reputation of the Judge, lowering the prestige of the institution.”
He expressed his deep frustration over the timing and nature of the post:
“When he is a litigant, when his judgment has been reserved, he wants to influence the Judge! He wants to put pressure on me. Tell him that over my grave only, he can put pressure on me. Height of everything in this Court.”
The Judge continued in strong words, indicating the seriousness of the issue:
“How can he write when Judgment is reserved? He is a litigant, his judgment is reserved and he has written a stinking Facebook post, besmirching my reputation. I am putting you on notice. I am taking suo moto cognizance of the post and I am framing charges. By evening the order will be uploaded. When Judgment is reserved, somebody writing a Facebook post alleging malice against a Judge.”
According to reports, the Facebook post in question allegedly accused the judiciary of “saffronisation,” a politically charged allegation that Justice Singh found unacceptable, especially coming from someone directly involved in a pending case.
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Justice Singh’s comments make it clear that he views the post as not just disrespectful, but also a direct attack on the judicial system and the integrity of the Bench.
The Kerala High Court is now expected to upload the order by evening, formally initiating suo moto criminal contempt proceedings against R. Rajesh.
The notice in question was issued after the event had already begun, with the Kerala Governor—who also serves as the Chancellor of the University—present on stage. This action was perceived as an act of disrespect towards the Governor.
Following the incident, Dr. Kumar was suspended by the acting Vice Chancellor. In response, Dr. Kumar approached the Kerala High Court to contest his suspension. He argued that the notice was issued with the intention of preventing any potential student unrest related to the display of a religious photograph at the venue.
Dr. Kumar also asserted that the cancellation notice was issued before the Governor arrived at the venue for the event.
Despite objections from the acting Vice Chancellor, Dr. Kumar was reinstated by the University Syndicate on Sunday, July 6.
Senior Advocate Elvin Peter PJ appeared on behalf of Dr. Kumar, while Kerala University was represented by its standing counsel, Thomas Abraham.
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